Bank Hoops' Class C team, players of the week

Class C Team of the Week:Muskegon HeightsApparently it will take more than a state takeover, the loss of a head coach and lots of talented players, to stop one of the proudest programs in state history. Muskegon Heights Academy looked like regular old Muskegon Heights in beating defending Class A runner-up Rockford 60-59 on a (controversial) free throw by junior guard Jeff Jordan with no time left on the clock. Jordan had 22 points and eight rebounds for first-year Heights coach Dalrecus Stewart, while another junior guard, Aaron Sydnor, had 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Tigers began the season with a 75-50 win over Muskegon Waypoint Academy.

Class C Upperclassman of the Week:Mike O'Brien 6-3 Sr Maple City Glen LakeThe life of the small-school athlete, O'Brien had to transition from playoff football to basketball season, and the Northwest Conference football MVP looked just as at home on the hardwood. O'Brien, a unique inside-outside scorer who recently visited Michigan Tech, scored 36 in Glen Lake's opening loss to McBain, then had 18 points in a win over Boyne City in the NWC/LMC Challenge at Kalkaska.

Class C Underclassman of the Week:Kual Nhial 6-5 So Grand Rapids NorthPointe ChristianAll athletic potential as a freshman, Nhial has worked hard on his shot and becoming a legitimate basketball player. The early returns are promising. He made 8-of-10 shots for 17 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in NorthPointe's 73-52 win over Fennville. He's fast emerging as a D1 prospect.